Undergarment



May 11, 1943. A. R. KNEIBLER 2,319,138

UNDERGARMENT Filed May 15, 1942 s Sheds-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

M A. KNEIBLER 2,319,138

UNDERGARMENT Filed May 15, 1942- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EIY TOR.

y 1943- A. R. KNEIBLIER 2,319,138

UNDERGARMENT Filed May 15, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 HVVENIUR.

-' BY I Patented May 11, 1943 UNDERGARMEN T Arthur R. Kneibler, Kenosha, Wis.', assignor to Coopers, Incorporated, Kenosha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application May 15, 1942, Serial No. 443,081

12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and improved undergarments and more particularly to lower garments or drawers for male wearers.

The invention relates to garments of the general type shown in the prior patents to Kneibler, No. 2,019,140, October 29, 1935, and Kneibler, No. 2,242,526, May 20, 1941. Garments of this character are made of knitted or other material having substantial elasticity or stretchability in one direction while relatively inelastic in a direction at right angles to the first direction. These garments were designed with continuous waist bands or belts formed partly or wholly of elastic material, so that the garment could be drawn up over the hips of the wearer and then fit snugly about the waist. Suchgarments have the advantage that no buttons are needed and they are easy to put on and take off, besides the fact that due to the elasticity of the belt and also of the body of the garment, a single size of garment will fit satisfactorily a range of sizes of wearers. The garments are designed with crotch pieces suspended directly or indirectly from the-belt or waist band, but elastic laterally so that they give a firm supporting lift with a mild'lateral confining pressure to the parts of the male wearer.

The present invention relates to a form of construction using a divided belt or waist band which is wholly or largely inelastic. It is designed, however, to provide substantial supporting and confining action in a manner generally similar to the prior constructions discussed above. Some wearers prefer a non-elastic belt, since they object to the tightness of the elastic band about the waist. In addition, some wearers prefer the convenience in taking off or putting on a garment which is afforded by a divided belt or waist band. Also, conditions may render it at times difficult orimpossible to obtain elastic material.

It is anobject of the present invention to provide new and improved drawers having a divided waist band. or belt.

It is also an object to provide drawers or shorts of this character in which the crotch piece is suspended from the divided waist band in such manner as to provide a supporting lift.

It is an additional object to provide a garment of. this character having an adequate division below the waist while providing a mild lateral confining pressure.

It is another object to provide a garment which is simple in design and construction and adapted for commercial production and'usep Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

I have shown certain preferred embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of one form of construction;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the form of Figure 1,-looking toward the front of the garment, taken on 1ine2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is across-section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modified form of construction;

Figure 5 is a plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the waist band construction of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a further modified form of garment;

Figure 7 is a view of the garment of Figure 6 as seen from the rear; and

Figure 8 is a development of the blanks of material from which the garment of Figures 6 and 7 is made.

Referring first to the form of construction shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the garment comprises a divided waist band formed of rear section H, lateral elastic sections I2 and I3, and right and left front sections [4 and IS. The front sections l4 and I5 are secured together by the button I6. The garment further includes a rear body portion, leg portions l1 and IS, a crotch portion I9, and a front body portion comprising an overlying section 20 and an underlying section 2|. The leg portions l'! and [8 are secured to the front part of the crotch portion l9 and to the sections I1 and I8 of the front body portion along seams 22 and 23 which extend substantially along the groin lines of the body of the wearer.

The front upper part of the crotch portion is pointed, one sloping side of the front being secured to the overlying front body section 20 by a seam covered by a relatively inextensible strip of material 24. The other sloping side of the front has secured to its edge the relatively inextensible strip 25 which extends from the crotch seam 22 to the free end of the overlying front waist band section [5, being also secured to the free edge of the overlying front body section 20 of the garment. The underlying front body section 2| has an extension 26, the free end of which isv secured in the groin seam 23 below the crotch portion I 9 and overlying the body section 20. The lower and lateral edges Of t s extension 28 are preferably finished by the relatively inelastic strips 21 and 28.

The form of construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 difiers from that of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive only in the use of different waist band adjustment and closure means. The waist band 30 is substantially unstretchable and is provided with a wide overlap and a series of three buttons 3| with corresponding button holes. The rear of the waist band is also provided with a pleat at 32 and a lacing 33 by which the size of the waist may be adjusted. It will be understood that two or more buttons and button holes may be used, the result being that the waist band may be adjusted for size in the front by use of different buttons and holes and in the rear by means of the lacing 33.

The construction of Figures 6 to 8 involves the same features as those of the forms of construction already described, these features being applied to a short type of garment having no leg pieces. The elements other than the waist band which make up the garment are shown in Figure 8 and comprise the rear body portion 4|, the crotch portion 42 having the pointed front part 43, the overlying section 44 of the front body portion and the underlying section 45 of that body portion, having the extension 46. The waist band 41 is shown as provided with a plurality of buttons 48 and has the rear adjusting lace 49.

Since this form of garment has no leg portions as such, it does not have groin seams, but the sides of the front part of the crotch portion and the edges of the lower part of the front body sections which form leg openings follow the general lines of the groin of the wearer. The end of the extension 46 of the underlying body section 45 is secured to this edge of the garment at a point 50 adjacent the junction of the crotch portion and body section. The seam between the body section 44 and crotch pointed part 43 is preferably covered by the relatively nextensible strip 5| which is connected to a similar strip 52 extending along the free edge of the part 43 and the free edge of the overlying section 44 to the free overlapping end of the waist band 41. I

It will be apparent that all of the forms of construction shown are broadly similar and pro vide a definite uplift and lateral support to the parts of the male wearer. All forms have the inverted Y lift or support to the top of the front of the crotch section, this inverted Y being directly connected to and supported from the waist band or belt. The extension of the underlying section of the front body portion ties the front of the garment together and limits lateral expansion. This prevents any gap at any tune and insures a smooth lateral support. The overlap is adequate for this purpose and yet provides along the free edge of the crotch portion what 18 in effect a fiy-opening, which may :be used without unbuttoning the waist of the garment. The present form of garment therefore provides many of the advantages of the construction of my prior patents mentioned above, while in addition permitting the use of a waist band havmg a division or opening therein normally held together by a button or other securing means, but opened for putting the garment on or taking it off.

While I have shown certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it is capable of variation to meet differing conditions and requirements and I contemplate such changes as come within the "spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion and a divided waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one located upon each side of the waist band division, one of said sections overlying a part of the other, the overlying section being secured to the waist band and crotch portion, the underlying section 7 being secured to the waist band and one side of the crotch portion and having an extension the end of which is secured adjacent the junction of the overlying section and the crotch portion, the intermediate portion of the extension lying below the crotch portion and free therefrom.

2. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion and a divided waist band, the crotch portion having a pointed part extending upwardly in the front of the garment, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one located upon each side of the waist band division, one of said sections overlying a part of the other section, the overlying section being secured by a continuous seam to one side of the pointed crotch part and to the waist band, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and to a lower portion of the edge of theopposite side of the pointed part of the crotch portion from that secured to the overlying section, said underlying section having an extension which extends across underneath the crotch portion and has its end secured to the crotch portion adjacent its opposite edge.

3. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion and a divided waist band, the crotch portion having a pointed part extending upwardly in the front of the garment, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one located upon each side of the waist band division, one of said sections overlying a part of the other section, the overlying section being secured by a continuous seam to one side of the pointed crotch part and to the waist band, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and to a lower portion of the edge of the opposite side of the pointed part of the crotch portion from that secured to the overlying section, said underlying section having an extension which extends across underneath the crotch portion and hasits end secured to the crotch portion and overlying sec- .tion where they meet at the lower end of the comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, leg portions connected to the body portions and crotch portion, and a divided waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one of said sections overlying a portion of the other section,the overlying section being secured to the waist band, the crotch portion and one leg portion, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and adjacent leg portion and having an extension secured to the other leg portion.

5. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, leg portions connected to the body portions and crotch portion, and a divided waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one of said sections overlying a portion of the other section, the overlying section being secured to the waist band, the crotch portion and one leg portion, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and adjacent leg portion and having an extension secured to the other leg portion at a point underlying the upper front part of the crotch portion.

' 6. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, leg portions connected to the body portions and crotch portion, and a divided waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one of said sections overlying a portion of the other section, the overlying section being secured to the waist band, the crotch portion and one leg portion, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and adjacent leg portions and having an extension secured to the other leg portion at a point underlying the junction of the other front section and the crotch section.

'7. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, leg portions connected to the crotch and body portions, said connection in the front portion of the garment following generally'the groin lines of the wearer and a divided Waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one of said sections overlying a portion of the other section, the overlying section being secured to the waist band, the crotch portion and one leg portion, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and adjacent leg portion and having an extension secured to the opposite leg portion in the groin seam.

8. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, leg portions connected to the crotch and body portions, said connection in the front portion of the garment following generally the groin lines of the wearer and a divided waist band, the front body portion comprising right and left sections, one of said sections overlying a portion of the other section, the overlying section being secured to the waist band, the crotch portion and one leg portion, the underlying section being secured to the waist band and adjacent leg portion and having an extension secured to the opposite leg portion in the groin seam at a point underlying the junction of the other front section and the crotch portion.

9. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, the front body portion and crotch portion being resilient transversely but relatively inelastic longitudinally of the garment, leg portions, and a waist band divided in the front of the garment, the front body portions comprising partially overlapping right and left sections, the upper edges of one section being secured to the waist band upon each side of the waist band division, the crotch portion having a pointed upper front edge, one side of said pointed edge being secured to the lower edge of the overlying front section, the underlying front section having an extension underlying the upper crotch portion and having a relatively narrow part of the free edge of said extension secured to the junction of the seam between the crotch portion and the overlying front section with the adjacent leg portion.

10. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, a crotch portion, the front body portion and crotch portion being resilient transversely but relative inelastic longitudinally of the garment, leg portions, and a waist band divided in the front of the garment, the front body portions comprising partially overlapping right and left sections, the upper edges of one section being secured to the waist band upon each side of the waist band division, the crotch portion having a pointed upper front edge, one side of said pointed edge being secured to the lower edge of the overlying front section, the underlying front section having an extension underlying the upper crotch portion and having a relatively narrow part of the free edge of said extension secured to the junction of the seam between the clotch portion and the overlying front section with the adjacent leg portion, and substantially inextensible means connecting the waist band and the point of the crotch portion, said means extending along the free edge of the overlying front section and thence at an angle along the free edge of the pointed upper crotch portion to the junction of that edge with the adjacent leg portion.

11. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, leg portions, a crotch portion, and a divided waist band, the front body portion and front part of the crotch portion being secured to leg portions by seams following generally the groin lines of the wearer, the front body portion and crotch portion being resilient transversely but relatively inelastic longitudinally of the garment, the front part of the crotch section extending to a point centrally of the front of the garment, the front portion comprising overlapping right and left sections, the overlying section being connected to one side of the crotch point by a. relatively inextensible seam extending from the adjacent groin seam to the point of the crotch portion, substantially inextensible means extending along the free edge of said front section from the waist band to the point of the crotch portion and along the free edge of said point to the opposite groin seam.

12. An undergarment of the class described, comprising front and rear body portions, leg portions, a crotch portion, and a divided waist band, the front body portion and front part of the crotch portion being secured to leg portions by seams following generally the groin lines of the wearer, the front body portion and crotchportion being resilient transversely but relatively inelastic longitudinally of the garment, the front part of the crotch section extending to a point centrally of the front of the garment, the front portion comprising overlapping right and left sections, the overlying section being connected to one side of the crotch point by a relatively inextensible seam extending from the adjacent groin seam to the point of the crotch portion, substantially inextensible means extending along the free edge of said front section from the waist band to the point of the crotch portion and along the free edge of said point to the opposite groin seam, the underlying front section extending under the upper pointed part of crotch section and having an extension secured to the opposite groin seam adjacent the junction of the seam between the overlying front section and crotch portion with said groin seam.

ARTHUR R. KNEIBLER. 

